Do You Really Need That? Minimalism in Japanese Homes

Minimalist environments are becoming more popular in Japan these days. Though minimalism has already been seen in many homes abroad, the Zen-inspired homes of the Japanese people are quite different. As space has always been an issue in the country, it becomes normal to live in small spaces wherever in Japan. Because of this, some people have taken it to the extreme of only living with the barest of necessities.

The Concept of Minimalism

Minimalism is based on Japanese aesthetics that adhere to the rule that nothing stands out when you have too much. A total lack of clutter is said to give meaning to life and new possibilities. Many Japanese love to spend some quiet time alone after a long busy day. This gives them the time to think and find their real purpose in life. The nature of this has been highly influenced by Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes concentration through meditation. An example of this is the bowing of heads with a deliberate pause before coming back up, which shows utmost respect. Another is the presentation of a room that limits all physical form and space in order to create a peaceful mind for thoughts to explore properly.

The practice of minimalism is expanding in the country as many people have actually changed their lifestyle choices. Some of them were passionate item collectors who gave up their hobby. Others even put their collections on sale or simply gave them to friends or relatives in order to declutter. Buying only the things that you really like results in less time for shopping yet more time with family and friends. It also gives you the chance to start a new hobby or get involved in meaningful activities. The main goal is not just throwing away or lessening things but also re-evaluating the importance of your possessions. Some minimalists also say that having only a few items could also help you survive an earthquake in a country that is regularly stricken by one.

If you need advice on how to declutter, you can check Marie Kondo’s book which is available worldwide and in over 40 languages. Marie Kondo is a decluttering expert and organizing consultant from Japan. Click here for her homepage.

This practice is gradually growing in the country as it allows only the important things in your life to surface. It also gives you insight into the true state of nature and a more liberated way of living. Did you already hop on the minimalist bandwagon? Or do you live happily with your many possessions?

SIMILAR ARTICLES

As Japan’s population continues to fall the country is left with a unique problem: empty homes. These places can become troublesome for neighbours but one man is trying to change this and give new life to the empty homes of Japan. Akiya – Empty Homes jp.fotolia.com/ In Japanese, an empty home is called ‘akiya.’ As…

If you have ever been to Japan, you might have noticed that usually Japanese people can’t speak English, and sometimes get overwhelmed when you talked to them in English. However, by far most of those people (and that includes myself) have studied English for at least 6 years in junior high school and high school.…

Japanese children are unlike any other children in the world. They are taught to be independent at a young age that it becomes a common sight to see kids as young as 7 years old riding the train alone. Though parents are quite apprehensive at first, they put their fears aside as there are so…

Japan is no stranger to creativity, and a Japanese company called Suumo has deployed a form of creative advertising which also helps nature. Suumo is a real estate agent which provides information to people who are looking to buy or rent homes in Japan. With the help of professor Katsuyuki Hamasaki and some students from…

*We are making every effort to prevent copyright infringement on our website, but please contact us through our email address below in case you would like to report a violation regarding our articles or images.